Biological Aspect of Health in Western and Asian Countries: the United States and South Korea

Global advances in medicine and health practices, along with epidemiological changes, have improved health across the world. However, these changes appear to be mediated by environmental, cultural factors and behavioral gaps remain across countries. Given these factors, it is reasonable to assume that the United States and South Korea likely have differential underlying biological statuses; however, little research has investigated possible cross-national differences. Drawing from nationally representative cross-sectional panel data (2007-2010 of NHANES and Korean NHANES), we compared two countries who aged 50+ along 8 indicators of biological risk: Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), total, HDL, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, Body Mass Index (BMI), and glycated hemoglobin(N=5,761 for US; N=11,315 for South Korea). Findings indicate that while Americans were more likely to be obese, Koreans were more likely to have higher DBP and glycosylated hemoglobin levels. Americans, rates of obesity increased through age 70; however, among Koreans, no obesity differences were found across age-groups. DBP was higher among younger Koreans, particularly among men. Significant gender differences across all biomarkers were found among Koreans while no differences in fasting triglycerides were found among Americans.